Base for food containers

ABSTRACT

A base for a food container includes a pattern of rib units in a side wall of the container. The rib units are formed at multiple angles and depths to provide strength to the side wall. The base also includes a bottom with ribs of alternating heights and angles that provide strength to the bottom.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to food containers and, more particularly, to an array of ribs of multiple depths and angles in the side wall and bottom of a rigid plastic food container to reinforce the food container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A container often used with hot foods such as roasted or broiled whole chicken has a lid and base thermoformed from plastic material. When this container is heated by the cooked food, and/or Hot case, the plastic of the container base can get soft and bend along a transverse line in reaction to the weight of the chicken when the base is grasped at one end and lifted. Ribs are formed in the base to reinforce the base but the rib patterns alone do not provide sufficient reinforcement and a thicker material for the base is often required. This increases the cost of the container. It is desirable to provide a rib array or pattern for the base of these containers that provides sufficient reinforcement to allow a thinner material to be used in thermoforming the base.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides a pattern or array of ribs in a side wall and bottom of a thermoformed plastic container base that resists bending of the base when it is warm or cold and filled with food. The pattern includes a plurality of rib units formed in the side wall. The rib units provide multiple depths and multiple angles such that there is no straight path for bending.

[0004] In addition, a plurality of ribs are formed in the bottom of the base. The ribs are of different heights and angles relative to each other and the different heights and angles are alternated. This array or pattern prevents the formation of a straight bend line through the bottom of the base reducing the likelihood of bending under a load. This array includes longitudinal ribs extending the length of the bottom to create a beam that inhibits bending of the bottom when the base is picked up at an end of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a base for food containers constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the base of the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the base of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

[0010]FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 in FIGS. 2 and 4;

[0011]FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 3;

[0012]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bottom of the base of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the bottom;

[0014]FIG. 9 is a view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

[0015]FIG. 10 is a view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

[0016]FIG. 11 is a view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 8;

[0017]FIG. 12 is a view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 8;

[0018]FIG. 13 is a view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 8; and

[0019]FIG. 14 is a view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 7.

[0020] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-6, there is illustrated a base 10 for a food container. The base 10 includes a bottom 16 and a side wall 18 that extends around the entire periphery of the the bottom 16 and extends from the bottom 16 to a rim 20. The base 10 can be thermoformed plastic and can be covered with a lid if desired. The base 10 is intended to carry foods and preferably hot food such as rotisserie chicken. The elevated temperature of the food and/or Hot case will heat and soften the plastic making the base 10 more prone to bending when lifted or carried by gripping a first end 12 or a second end 14 or the corners of the base 10. Since this bending is undesirable because food and/or juices can be spilled, the base 10 is strengthened to avoid bending by including a pattern or array of ribs and rib units of multiple angles and multiple depths such that the base 10 does not have a straight path of bending.

[0022] The side wall 18 includes an array or pattern of one or more rib units that provide multiple angles and depths to the side wall 18. A first rib unit 22 is thermoformed into the side wall 18 and includes a first female rib 24 and a first male rib 26 formed in the female rib 24. The first female rib 24 extends from adjacent the rim 20 into the bottom 16. The first male rib 26 is shorter than the first female rib 24 and extends from near the rim 20 into the bottom 16.

[0023] The first rib unit 22 strengthens the side wall 18 against bending by providing multiple depths. The rounded surfaces or knuckles 30 (FIG. 3) formed between the first male rib 26 and first female rib 24 results from the different widths of the first male rib 26 and the first female rib 24. The knuckles 30 also strengthen base 10 against vertical or crushing forces.

[0024] The first rib unit 22 also strengthens the side wall 18 against bending by providing multiple angles. The first female rib 24 is at an angle A to a vertical line 32 that is perpendicular to the bottom 16 (FIG. 4). The angle of the first male rib 26 to the vertical line 32 is B. The range for the angle A is from about 5° to about 44° and the range for the angle B is from about 6° to about 45°. Although the angles A and B can be equal, in a preferred embodiment the angle B is larger than angle A. The different angles A and B add to the strengthening effect of the first rib unit 22 and contribute to avoiding a straight line of bending in the base 10. The first rib unit 22 can be repeated around the entire side wall 18 to form a pattern or array. The array or pattern can be the first rib unit 22 positioned adjacent to each other or spaced apart with portions of the side wall 18 between rib units 22.

[0025] Additional depths and angles can be provided in the side wall 18 by a second rib unit 34 thermoformed in the side wall 18. The second rib unit 34 includes a second male rib 36. The second male rib 36 is shorter than the first male rib 26 and does not extend as far toward the rim 20 or into the bottom 16 as the first male rib 26. To provide additional angles the side wall 18 is at an angle C to the vertical line 32 (FIG. 4). Angle C is from about 5° to about 44°. The second male rib 36 is at an angle D to the vertical line 32 which is from about 6° to about 45°. Although the angle D of the second male rib can be at any angle in the range mentioned, it is preferred that the angle D of the second male rib 36 be different than the angle B of the first male rib 26. In addition, the depth X (FIG. 5) of the second male rib 36 is greater than the depth Y of the first male rib 26 contributing to the multiple depth characteristic of a rib array or pattern that includes both the first rib unit 22 and the second rib unit 34. A multiple angle, multiple depth rib array or pattern may include alternating the first rib unit 22 and the second rib unit 34 or may include any combination of multiple first rib units 22 interspaced by one or several second rib units 34.

[0026] To provide additional depths and angles to the array or pattern of ribs in the side wall a third rib unit 38 may be thermoformed into the side wall 18. The third rib unit 38 includes a second female rib 40 and a third male rib 42 formed in the female rib 40. The angle of the second female rib 40 to a vertical line 32 can be in the range from about 5° to about 44° and the angle of the third male rib 42 to a vertical line is in the range of from about 6° to about 45°. Although the angle of the second female rib 40 and the third male rib 42 can be the same, it is preferred that the angle of the third male rib 42 be greater than the angle of the second female rib 40.

[0027] The third rib unit 38 strengthens the side wall 18 against bending by providing multiple depths. The rounded surfaces or knuckles 30 (FIG. 3) formed between the third male rib 42 and the second female rib 40 results from the different widths of the third male rib 42 and the second female rib 40.

[0028] The second female rib 40 extends upwardly higher toward the rim 20 than does the third male rib 42. The first female rib 24 and the second female rib 40 are at the same height relative to the rim 20 as are the first male rib 26 and the third male rib 42. The second male rib 36 is shorter than the first male rib 26 and the third male rib 42. The second female rib 40 extends into the bottom 16 farther than the third male rib 42 but not as far as the first female rib 24. The third male rib 42 extends into the bottom 16 farther than the second male rib 36 but not as far as the first male rib 26. These different multiple extensions into the bottom 16 and the multiple heights relative to the rim 20 also add strength to the base 10 by preventing a straight bend line in the base 10.

[0029] Turning now to FIGS. 7-13, the bottom 16 of the base 10 is shown in more detail. The bottom 16 includes four different levels and alternating patterns of ribs perpendicular to the X and Y axis of the bottom 16 and angled relative to the X and Y axis. The pattern or array of alternating levels and angles prevents bending of the bottom 16 along the X or Y axis. The bottom 16 with its pattern or array of ribs combined with the side wall 18 with its pattern or array of ribs provides an increase in strength of the base 10 when supported or held at the first end 12 or second end 14 or at the corners while a force is loaded at the end opposite the end being held.

[0030] The bottom 16 includes a bottom wall 44 which defines one of four different levels or heights in the bottom 16. A second level or height is defined by a plurality of first or shallow ribs 46A-46Z formed in the bottom 16. A third level is provided by a plurality of depressions 48 formed in the bottom wall 44 and between the first or shallow ribs 46. A fourth level is defined by second or higher ribs 50A-50D. The four different levels as defined by the bottom wall 44, first, shallow ribs 46A-46Z, depressions 48, and second, higher ribs 50A-50D are alternated such that a straight line from a first side 52 of the bottom 16 to a second side 54 will pass through alternating levels as opposed to only one level.

[0031] In addition to alternating levels or elevations, the bottom 16 also has ribs at alternating angles. The second or higher ribs 50A-50D are horizontal and extend along the longitudinal axis of the bottom wall 44. These ribs 50A-50D also define beams extending along the length of the bottom wall 44 to provide beam strength to the bottom 16 of the base 10. Some of the first or shallow ribs 46K-46P are perpendicular to the second or higher ribs 50B and 50C while a first set of the first shallow ribs 46C-46G, 46T-46X are on an angle greater than about 0° and less than about 90° to the second higher ribs 50A-50D and a second set of first shallow ribs 46A, 46B, 46H-46J, 46Q-46S, 46Y and 46Z are at an angle (i.e., greater than about 180° and less than about 270°) opposite the angle of the first set of first shallow ribs. These alternating angles of the ribs are formed such that a straight line extending through the bottom 16 from the first side 52 to the second side 54 intersects alternating angles. The alternating levels and angles inhibit bending of the base 10 along a straight line when the base 10 is held at the first end 12 or second end 14 while a load is in the base 10 thereby providing strength to the base 10 in addition to the increased strength provided by the array or pattern of ribs in the side wall 18.

[0032] While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A base for a food container, comprising: a side wall, a bottom wall, and a plurality of first rib units formed in said side wall, each said first rib unit includes a first female rib and a first male rib.
 2. The base claimed in claim 1 wherein said first male rib is formed in said first female rib.
 3. The base claimed in claim 1 wherein said first female rib is at an angle of between from about 5° to about 44° from a vertical line that is perpendicular to said bottom wall.
 4. The base claimed in claim 1 wherein said first male rib is at an angle of between from about 6° to about 45° from a vertical line that is perpendicular to said bottom wall.
 5. The base claimed in claim 1 wherein said first female rib is at a first angle to a vertical axis perpendicular to said bottom wall and said first male rib is at a second angle to said vertical axis, said first angle and said second angle are not equal.
 6. The base claimed in claim 1 wherein said first female rib is at a first depth in said side wall and said first male rib is at a second depth in said side wall, said first depth is different than said second depth.
 7. The base claimed in claim 1 wherein said first female rib extends into said bottom wall a first distance, and said first male rib extends into said bottom wall a second distance, said first female rib extends farther into said bottom wall than said first male rib wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance.
 8. The base claimed in claim 1 wherein said first female rib and said first male rib each extends into said bottom wall, the height of said first male rib in said bottom wall is greater than the height of said first female rib in said bottom wall.
 9. The base claimed in claim 1 wherein said first female rib is of a first height in said side wall and said first male rib is of a second height in said side wall, said first height exceeds said second height.
 10. The base claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of second rib units in said side wall positioned between adjacent first rib units, each said second rib unit includes a second male rib formed in said side wall.
 11. The base claimed in claim 10 wherein said side wall is at from about 5° to about 44° to a vertical axis perpendicular to said bottom wall and said second male rib extends from about 6° to about 45° to said vertical axis.
 12. The base claimed in claim 10 further comprising a plurality of third rib units formed in said side wall, each said third rib unit positioned adjacent one of said second rib units, each said third rib unit includes a second female rib and a third male rib formed in said second female rib.
 13. The base claimed in claim 12 wherein said second female rib is at an angle of between about 5° to about 44° from a vertical axis perpendicular to said bottom wall and said third male rib is at an angle of between about 6° to about 45° from said vertical axis.
 14. The base claimed in claim 13 wherein the angle of said second female rib is not equal to said angle of said third male rib.
 15. The base claimed in claim 12 wherein said second female rib is at a third depth in said side wall and said third male rib is at a fourth depth in said side wall, said third depth is different than said fourth depth.
 16. The base claimed in claim 12 wherein said second female rib extends into said bottom wall, and said third male rib extends into said bottom wall, said second female rib extends into said bottom wall farther than said third male rib.
 17. The base claimed in claim 16 wherein the height of said third male rib in said bottom wall is greater than the height of said second female rib in said bottom wall.
 18. The base claimed in claim 12 wherein said second female rib extends a first vertical distance up said side wall and said third male rib extends a second vertical distance up said side wall, said first vertical distance exceeds said second vertical distance.
 19. The base claimed in claim 1 comprising a plurality of first ribs formed in said bottom wall and extending to a first elevation, a plurality of depressions formed in said bottom wall and extending below said bottom wall, and a plurality of second ribs formed in said bottom wall and extending to a second elevation.
 20. The base claimed in claim 19 wherein said second elevation is different than said first elevation.
 21. The base claimed in claim 19 wherein said base includes a longitudinal axis and said first ribs extend parallel to said longitudinal axis.
 22. The base claimed in claim 19 wherein said base includes a longitudinal axis and at least some of said second ribs are perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
 23. The base claimed in claim 19 wherein said base includes a longitudinal axis and at least some of said second ribs are at an angle other than perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
 24. A plastic container bottom, comprising: a bottom wall; a plurality of depressions in said bottom wall, said depressions extending below said bottom wall; a plurality of first ribs formed in said bottom wall and extending to a first elevation; and a plurality of second ribs formed in said bottom wall and extending to a second elevation.
 25. The plastic container bottom claimed in claim 24 wherein said bottom wall includes a longitudinal axis, and at least one of said plurality of first ribs extends parallel to said longitudinal axis.
 26. The plastic container bottom claimed in claim 24 wherein said bottom wall includes a transverse axis; said depressions, said plurality of first ribs and said plurality of second ribs alternate along said transverse axis.
 27. The plastic container bottom claimed in claim 24 wherein said bottom wall includes a longitudinal axis; said plurality of said first ribs extend parallel to said longitudinal axis, and at least one of said plurality of said second ribs extends perpendicularly to said plurality of said first ribs and said longitudinal axis.
 28. The plastic container bottom claimed in claim 24 wherein said bottom wall includes a longitudinal axis, at least one of said plurality of second ribs being at an angle greater than about 0° and less than about 90° to said longitudinal axis, and at least one of said plurality of said second ribs being at an angle greater than about 90° and less than about 180° to said longitudinal axis.
 29. A plastic container, comprising: a bottom wall; a side wall; a plurality of first rib units formed in said side wall, each said first rib unit includes a first female rib and a first male rib; a plurality of first ribs formed in said bottom wall and extending to a first elevation above said bottom wall, a plurality of depressions formed in said bottom wall and extending below said bottom wall, and a plurality of second ribs formed in said bottom wall and extending to a second elevation above said bottom wall.
 30. The base claimed in claim 29 wherein said first male rib is formed in said first female rib.
 31. The base claimed in claim 29 wherein said first female rib is at an angle of between from about 5° to about 44° from a vertical line that is perpendicular to said bottom wall.
 32. The base claimed in claim 29 wherein said first male rib is at an angle of between from about 6° to about 45° from a vertical line that is perpendicular to said bottom wall.
 33. The base claimed in claim 29 wherein said first female rib is at a first angle to a vertical axis perpendicular to said bottom wall and said first male rib is at a second angle to said vertical axis, said first angle and said second angle are not equal.
 34. The base claimed in claim 29 wherein said first female rib is at a first depth in said side wall and said first male rib is at a second depth in said side wall, said first depth is different than said second depth.
 35. The base claimed in claim 29 wherein said first female rib extends into said bottom wall a first distance, and said first male rib extends into said bottom wall a second distance, said first female rib extends farther into said bottom wall than said first male rib wherein said first distance is greater than said second distance.
 36. The base claimed in claim 29 wherein said first female rib and said first male rib each extends into said bottom wall, the height of said first male rib in said bottom wall is greater than the height of said first female rib in said bottom wall.
 37. The base claimed in claim 29 wherein said first female rib is of a first height in said side wall and said first male rib is of a second height in said side wall, said first height exceeds said second height.
 38. The base claimed in claim 29 further comprising a plurality of second rib units in said side wall positioned between adjacent first rib units, each said second rib unit includes a second male rib formed in said side wall.
 39. The base claimed in claim 38 wherein said side wall is at from about 5° to about 44° to a vertical axis perpendicular to said bottom wall and said second male rib extends from about 6° to about 45° to said vertical axis.
 40. The base claimed in claim 38 further comprising a plurality of third rib units formed in said side wall, each said third rib unit positioned adjacent one of said second rib units, each said third rib unit includes a second female rib and a third male rib formed in said second female rib.
 41. The base claimed in claim 40 wherein said second female rib is at an angle of between about 5° to about 44° from a vertical axis perpendicular to said bottom wall and said third male rib is at an angle of between about 6° to about 45° from said vertical axis.
 42. The base claimed in claim 41 wherein the angle of said second female rib is not equal to said angle of said third male rib.
 43. The base claimed in claim 40 wherein said second female rib is at a third depth in said side wall and said third male rib is at a fourth depth in said side wall, said third depth is different than said fourth depth.
 44. The base claimed in claim 40 wherein said second female rib extends into said bottom wall, and said third male rib extends into said bottom wall, said second female rib extends into said bottom wall farther than said third male rib.
 45. The base claimed in claim 44 wherein the height of said third male rib in said bottom wall is greater than the height of said second female rib in said bottom wall.
 46. The base claimed in claim 40 wherein said second female rib extends a first vertical distance up said side wall and said third male rib extends a second vertical distance up said side wall, said first vertical distance exceeds said second vertical distance.
 47. The base claimed in claim 29 wherein said second elevation is greater than said first elevation.
 48. The base claimed in claim 29 wherein said bottom wall includes a longitudinal axis and said first ribs in said bottom wall extend parallel to said longitudinal axis.
 49. The base claimed in claim 29 wherein said bottom wall includes a longitudinal axis and at least some of said second ribs in said bottom wall are perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
 50. The base claimed in claim 29 wherein said bottom wall includes a longitudinal axis and at least some of said second ribs in said bottom wall are at an angle other than perpendicular to said longitudinal axis. 